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Kidney Tumor Treatment and Diagnosis

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Kidney Tumor Treatment and Diagnosis

Kidney cancer is best treated when it is diagnosed in its early stages. Early detection plays a pivotal role in preventing kidney cancer from progressing to advanced stages. Today, we have highly advanced diagnostic protocols available for kidney cancer diagnosis, which help specialists precisely diagnose this condition and come up with the best renal cancer treatment plan.

The following are the different diagnostic tests recommended for kidney cancer:

Physical Exam and History

A physical exam involves examining the abdominal region for the presence of a mass or lump on the sides or back. The doctor will also look for other signs of kidney cancer. If the chances of kidney cancer are higher, the doctor will recommend additional tests for renal cell carcinoma diagnosis.

Basic or Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) to Check Organ Function

A basic or complete metabolic panel (CMP) is a blood test that determines the levels of 14 different components in the blood. This test provides doctors with comprehensive information about the metabolic activities in the body.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) to Check the Blood for Signs of Disease

A complete blood count (CBC) may also be recommended to look for signs of kidney cancer. Abnormal levels of blood cells can indicate the presence of cancer in some cases.

Urinalysis for Checking Infection, Blood, and Protein in the Urine

Urinalysis is another important test recommended for diagnosing kidney cancer. The presence of blood and abnormal levels of proteins may indicate the presence of kidney cancer.

Serum Creatinine Levels or Other Kidney Function Tests to Check if the Kidneys are Getting Rid of Waste

Doctors may also recommend tests to look for serum creatinine levels. This is an important test recommended for the diagnosis of kidney cancer. Anomalies in the creatinine levels indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly and may need further medical attention.

Ultrasound to Get Images of Your Kidneys

Ultrasound is another non-invasive diagnostic test recommended for diagnosing kidney cancer. This test uses sound waves to obtain images of the kidneys and nearby tissues and look for the presence of cancerous masses.

CT Scan and MRI to Help Diagnose and Stage Kidney Masses

Other tests done to stage kidney masses are CT and MRI. These tests help in renal cell carcinoma diagnosis by generating detailed images of the kidneys and surrounding tissues.

Bone Scan and Chest X-Ray to Find Out if the Cancer Has Spread

Kidney cancer often metastasizes to the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. A bone scan and chest x-ray are recommended to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Kidney Mass Biopsy to Help Find Out What Type of Tumor You Have

A biopsy helps doctors in definitive renal cancer diagnosis. This test procedure involves obtaining a tissue sample from the part of the kidney that is suspected to have cancer and examining it for the presence of cancer cells.

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Kidney Cancer - Grading and Staging

Grading

The tumor grade is decided based on how tumor cells look under the microscope. In some cases, the tumor cells look very similar to normal cells, and in other cases, they look very different from normal cells. Based on this factor, kidney cancers are graded from grade 1 to grade 4, as per the Fuhrman system.

Grade 1

Grade 1 kidney cancer cells have a strong resemblance to normal kidney cells, and they tend to grow at a much slower rate.

Grade 2

Grade 2 kidney cancer cells look somewhat like normal kidney cells. Grade 2 kidney cancer has a faster growth rate than grade 1 kidney cancer and a tendency to spread to other parts of the body.

Grade 3

The cells of grade 3 kidney cancer look very different than normal kidney cells. Grade 3 kidney cancer is aggressive and readily spreads to different parts of the body.

Grade 4

The cells of grade 4 kidney cancer look like muscle or nerve cells. Kidney cancers in grade 4 are very aggressive and spread quickly to different parts of the body.

Staging

Depending on the extent to which the disease has spread, the staging of kidney cancer is done. The commonly used staging systems are the TNM system and the number system.

TNM System

In this system, kidney cancer is staged based on how large the tumor is (T), its spread to nodes (N), and its spread (metastasis) to distant organs (M).

Tumor Growth

T1 Kidney Cancer

This procedure involves targeting the tumor with an external radiation source, a linear accelerator, or LINAC. Radiosurgery is a non-invasive procedure that precisely targets cancer cells and destroys them.

T2 Kidney Cancer

The tumor is larger. However, the tumor is still localized.

T3 Kidney Cancer

The tumor has grown larger, and it has spread to major blood vessels and tissues nearby but has not reached the adrenal gland.

T4 Kidney Cancer

The tumor has spread to the adrenal gland and other nearby organs, namely the liver, spleen, or intestine.


Lymph Node Involvement

N0 Kidney Cancer

The disease has not spread to nearby lymph nodes.

N1 Kidney Cancer

The disease has spread to nearby lymph nodes.


Distant Organs Involvement

M0 Kidney Cancer

The disease has not spread to distant parts of the body.

M1 Kidney Cancer

The disease has spread to distant parts of the body, such as the brain, lungs, and bones.

Number System

In this system, the staging of kidney cancer from stage 1 to stage 4 is done based on the extent of the disease. Stage 1 kidney cancers are smaller in size and are localized to the organ, whereas stage 4 kidney cancers refer to advanced cancers that have spread to distant organs.

Stage 1

The tumor is localized, and its size is not more than 7 centimeters.

Stage 2

The tumor is localized; however, its size is more than 7 centimeters

Stage 3

In stage 3, kidney cancer may start spreading to the nearby lymph nodes or the critical blood vessels and tissues.

Stage 4

In stage 4, kidney cancer spreads to nearby and distant organs.

Kidney Cancer (Renal Cancer) Treatment

Before administering kidney tumor treatment, the doctors consider a myriad of factors, namely the type of kidney cancer, the stage and grade of kidney cancer, its exact location, and the age and overall health status of the patient. After thoroughly assessing these factors, doctors devise a personalized treatment plan that may include one or more of the following:

Surgery for Kidney Tumor Treatment

Surgery is the most commonly recommended kidney cancer treatment. This treatment approach involves the removal of the tumor and a small portion of healthy tissue that surrounds it.

Surgery is a highly effective renal cancer treatment option if the tumor is small and localized. It is also one of the most recommended renal cell carcinoma treatments

Nephrectomy (Remove the Affected Kidney)

Nephrectomy involves the surgical removal of the kidney, the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder, and the fatty tissues that surround the kidney.

Partial Nephrectomy (Remove the Tumor From the Kidney)

As the name suggests, partial nephrectomy refers to the partial surgical removal of the kidney. This way, the patient would not lose the entire organ.

Laparoscopic and Robotic Surgery (Minimally Invasive Surgery)

The minimally invasive procedures involve the removal of the tumor or the organ affected by the tumor using small incisions. Laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery are the two forms of minimally invasive surgeries available for kidney or renal cancer treatment.

These procedures benefit patients in numerous ways, from shorter hospital stays to fewer treatment-related complications to a faster recovery after the procedure.

Cytoreductive Nephrectomy

Cytoreductive nephrectomy is recommended for patients with advanced kidney cancer to reduce the tumor load and improve their quality of life. This procedure is often followed by systemic medications for more effective disease management.

Metastasectomy

Metastasectomy refers to the removal of tumors that have formed due to the spreading of kidney cancer to other parts of the body. This kidney cancer treatment approach helps prolong the survival of kidney cancer patients.


Non-Surgical Treatments


Non-surgical treatment of kidney cancer largely involves treating kidney cancers with the help of cold and heat. These treatments are largely recommended for those who are not fit enough to undergo surgery, older patients, and patients with underlying heart diseases.


Treatment to Freeze Cancer Cells or Cryoablation


Cryoablation is largely recommended for early-stage kidney cancer, and it involves using cold temperatures to destroy kidney cancer cells. During the procedure, cold gas is injected into the tumor through a thin needle. This is usually a laparoscopic procedure that is done using tiny incisions. The rapid freezing and thawing of the cancer cells deprive them of blood, oxygen, and other nutrients and thereby cause their death. The needles are guided using CT or ultrasound scans.

Treatment to Heat Cancer Cells or Radiofrequency Ablation

This procedure destroys kidney cancer cells using heat. During the procedure, multiple needles are inserted into the tumor to induce heat through electric current or radiowaves. The heat generated will destroy the cancer cells. The needles for radiofrequency ablation are guided with the help of CT or ultrasound scans.



Treatment for Advanced and Recurrent Kidney Cancer


Advanced kidney cancers will often demand a multimodal approach for their efficient management. The treatment plan for advanced kidney cancer often includes surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy. These treatments help delay disease progression and prolong survival.

Recurrent kidney cancer, on the other hand, will also need multimodal treatment. Recurrent cancers are treated with extra attention. Recurrent kidney cancer treatment involves surgery, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and chemotherapy. Adhering to stringent follow-up protocols can help reduce the risk of cancer recurrences or catch them in their early stages.


Surgery to Remove as Much of the Kidney Cancer as Possible

Surgery as a renal cell carcinoma treatment, or recurrent kidney tumor treatment, involves the surgical removal of the maximum amount of cancer tissue in the kidney and the nearby organs. The primary goal of performing surgery for advanced kidney cancer is to reduce the tumor load, delay disease progression, and prolong survival.

Surgery is a highly effective renal cancer treatment option if the tumor is small and localized. It is also one of the most recommended renal cell carcinoma treatments

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is a new-age cancer kidney cancer treatment approach that focuses on targeting the specific protein molecules that are responsible for the growth and multiplication of cancer cells. Targeted therapy for kidney cancer works by either killing the cancer cells or controlling their growth.

Anti-angiogenesis Therapy

Angiogenesis is the process through which cancer cells produce new blood vessels for their growth. Anti-angiogenesis therapy is a form of targeted therapy that focuses on blocking angiogenesis, which leads to starving the cancer cells and eventually their death.

Bevacizumab (Avastin)

evacizumab (Avastin) is an antibody that can slow down tumor growth in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs)

TKIs are targeted therapy drugs that work by blocking the proteins necessary for cancer cell growth. This helps delay the progression of the disease.

mTOR Inhibitors

mTOR inhibitors delay the progression of cancer and reduce tumor size by blocking the pathways important for cancer cell growth. mTor is a combination of drugs called Everolimus (Afinitor) and Temsirolimus (Torisel), which block a protein that assists in the growth of kidney cancer.

HIF2a Inhibitors

HIF2a inhibitors target a specific protein that is responsible for the growth of kidney cancer. By inhibiting tumor growth, this targeted therapy drug works by controlling tumor growth.



Combining Anti-Angiogenesis Inhibitors and Immunotherapy


This is a promising kidney tumor treatment approach that combines anti-angiogenesis inhibitors, which block angiogenesis, with immunotherapy to boost the body’s immune system to launch an attack against cancer cells.


Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy involves stimulating the patient’s immune system to recognize and launch an attack against cancer cells in the body. Immunotherapy is often used in combination with other renal cell carcinoma treatments for better clinical outcomes.

Immunotherapy for kidney cancer stage 4 has been found to show promising results with respect to disease management.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is another treatment approach available for renal cell carcinoma. This treatment approach uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells and prevent the growth of new cancer cells.

Radiation Therapy

For kidney cancer treatment, radiation therapy is recommended in rare cases. Radiation therapy for kidney cancer involves using powerful radiation beams to destroy kidney cancer cells.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials help kidney cancer patients access new treatment approaches, breakthrough drugs, etc., which could help in the effective management of the disease. Patients are usually asked to opt for clinical trials when conventional treatment approaches don’t work

Alternative Medicine

Alternative medicine plays a pivotal role in kidney tumor or kidney cancer management. Unlike main treatments, alternative medicine does not treat the disease, instead, it focuses on reducing the pain and discomfort caused by the disease and improving the quality of life for patients.

Art Therapy

Art therapy can help cancer patients cope with their stress, anxiety, and depression.

Exercise

Exercise has a positive impact on physical and mental health among cancer patients. It also helps reduce pain and improve sleep quality.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy helps in alleviating pain and stress by improving blood circulation. It also improves sleep quality.

Meditation

Meditation can help cancer patients practice mindfulness, which plays an important role in managing stress and anxiety, improving focus, and maintaining a positive outlook. Meditation positively impacts sleep quality, too.

Music Therapy

Music therapy is also found to reduce stress, boost mood, and help cancer patients relax.

Relaxation Exercises

Certain relaxation exercises can help cancer patients relax and rest better. Commonly recommended relaxation exercises include deep breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Spirituality

As a personal belief system, spirituality may aid in comforting patients and helping them stay strong and have a positive outlook throughout their journey.

Coping and Support for Kidney Cancer Patients

Along with their main treatment, cancer patients will need care and support. They need to have a strong support system that is going to help them stay strong and motivated. The following are some healthy coping strategies for those dealing with kidney cancer:

Learn Enough About Kidney Cancer to Feel Comfortable Making Treatment Decisions

Both patients and their caregivers need to have enough understanding of the disease. The better the understanding, the better the health decisions.

Taking Care of Yourself

Consuming nourishing foods, performing relaxing exercises, taking warm baths, spending time in nature, etc., are a few ways cancer patients can take care of themselves.

Taking Time for Yourself

While undergoing cancer treatment, cancer patients must take some time for themselves. Activities like talking to a friend, spending time on hobbies, trying different relaxation techniques, getting a massage, etc., can help patients take their minds off the treatment and relax.

Gathering a Support Network

Having a strong support network is extremely important for those dealing with cancer. This support system or support network may help patients feel that they are seen, heard, and understood. This will have a positive impact on their mental health.

Getting Mental Health Counseling, if Needed

Mental health counseling should be considered if the patient is experiencing emotional and mental distress. Psycho-oncologists can help cancer patients understand their triggers and manage them effectively through healthy coping mechanisms.



Why Choose HCG for Kidney Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment?


HCG is the leading kidney cancer treatment hospital in India. The uro-oncologists at HCG specialize in providing superior diagnostic and treatment support to patients dealing with kidney malignancies. By making the care approach more personalized and patient-centric, HCG strives to ensure that every patient that walks in receives the best renal cancer treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kidney cancer be cured completely?

It is possible to treat kidney cancer successfully, and early detection and timely treatment play an important role. Also, the clinical outcomes are determined by various other factors, such as the type of kidney cancer, its stage and grade, and the patient’s age and overall health status.

For kidney cancers to be detected early, patients need to be mindful of the symptoms of kidney cancer and diligently see a doctor when any kidney-related symptoms last for more than two weeks.

The success rate of kidney cancer or kidney tumor treatment depends on multiple factors, including the type of kidney cancer, the stage at which the disease was diagnosed, the tumor grade, the overall health of the patient, and the treatment plan devised.

Kidney cancer treatment success rates are excellent if the disease is diagnosed in the early stages. As the disease progresses, the success rates decline.

There are multiple tests available for the detection and diagnosis of kidney cancer. Doctors commonly recommend blood tests, urinalysis, imaging tests, and a biopsy. In cases of advanced kidney cancer, a bone scan may also be recommended to check if the cancer has spread to the bones.

A blood test may be recommended for the diagnosis of kidney cancer. This test is used to look for certain tumor markers and kidney function-related anomalies. However, it is not used for a conclusive diagnosis, and along with it, many other tests may be recommended

Regular medical check-ups, imaging tests, and awareness of potential signs and symptoms of kidney cancer, such as blood in the urine, persistent pain, or a lump in the abdomen, can aid in early detection.

Once diagnosed with kidney cancer, patients often wonder what is the treatment for kidney cancer. Doctors consider multiple factors before devising the best treatment for renal cell cancer. Depending on the type, stage, and grade of kidney cancer, renal cancer treatment may include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy, alone or in combination.

Stage 4 kidney cancer is challenging to treat successfully, the disease would have spread to different parts of the body. Nonetheless, today, we have advanced treatment approaches that are helping to delay the progression of the disease and prolong survival.

The final stage of kidney cancer implies that the disease has spread to nearby and distant organs in the body, and its treatment could be challenging. Final-stage kidney cancers also have poor survival rates.

Yes, kidney cancer is treatable if it is caught early. In the early stages, the disease is localized or confined to one organ, which makes it easy to treat. As the disease progresses, it starts spreading, which makes it difficult to manage.

Regular health check-ups and not ignoring any kidney-related symptoms can help in the early detection of kidney cancer.

Yes. It is possible to live a normal life with one kidney. When one kidney is removed due to cancer, the second kidney undergoes compensatory growth and will be able to meet the filtration requirements of the body.

That said, those with one kidney need to be careful about their food habits and drink enough water. After the kidney is removed, patients and caregivers will be provided with guidelines on how to take good care of the remaining kidney.